Will the result of Karnataka by-election prove negative for BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa? Is his future in the party uncertain?
Karnataka: BJP national president Amit Shah is on a Mangaluru visit to discuss important issues including change in BJP state leadership, say party sources. He would also address the complaints from RSS leaders against BJP leaders. However, BJP's state president Yeddyurappa, who is also a staunch RSS man, might not attend the meeting.
Discussions will also be held regarding the recent by-elections, Ram Mandir and Sabarimala row at Sangha Nikethan in Mangaluru, according to sources. It will be a two-day meet and will conclude on November 15.
It is said to be a national-level Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS) special category annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be held at two places in the country. The north India meet will be held at Varanasi, led by RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat. The south India meet is led by Bhayyaji Joshi.
The meeting is held with an intention to strengthen the Sangh Pariwar organisations. More than 200 representatives from over 20 states are taking part in the meeting.
The meeting is considered important and Yeddyurappa's absence in the meeting might be a strong message sent to Karnataka BJP leaders in the wake of results of by-elections held on November 3.
BJP was successful in retaining only one seat (Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency) whereas the party lost two Lok Sabha seats and two Assembly seats to Congress and JD(S) parties in Karnataka.
Though Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra won the Shhivamogga seat, the difference was about 50,000 votes, whereas last time, BJP had won the seat with a difference of more than 3,00,000 votes.
Thus, looks like this has not been taken lightly by the national leaders of the BJP. Currently, the speculation is that Yeddyurappa's post as BJP state president may be at risk, say sources.
The discussion also might focus on selecting a strong candidate who can be a bridge between Karnataka and the Centre. With the death of veteran leader Ananth Kumar (on November 12), there is a void and BJP needs a strong person, who can be a strong connection between the state leaders as well as the leaders in the Centre.
Meanwhile, names of former state president Prahlad Joshi, RSS leader BL Santhosh and CT Ravi are doing the rounds.
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